At this year’s Plantworx show, one of the UK’s largest construction trade events, we were approached by SomeBrightSpark with an idea that required both creativity and practical problem solving. The brief was simple on paper: create a merchandise stand that could also act as an engaging brand space. The challenge was delivering something that would stand out in a busy exhibition environment while working within the tight footprint available on site.
The starting point was a container structure with a stretch canopy. From there, the concept quickly evolved into something more ambitious…
Developing the Structure
We built the installation around our stage containers, creating a strong and adaptable base for the structure. To elevate the space and increase its visibility on the show floor, we added a roof deck above the containers. This allowed the client to mount a stretch canopy to truss at both the front and rear of the structure, creating covered areas with a distinctive profile that stood out among the surrounding stands.
The result was a multi functional build that used every part of the footprint effectively.
Front of House
At the front of the structure, the client created a space that was designed to operate as a merchandise and coffee takeaway area. This created a welcoming point for visitors to engage with the brand, grab a drink, and browse merchandise throughout the day.
The canopy helped frame the area while providing shelter, making it a natural gathering point on the show floor.
Rear Cinema Space
Behind the container, the atmosphere shifted completely. The rear canopy area was transformed into a chilled cinema space where visitors could sit, relax, and watch content away from the noise of the main exhibition floor.
This contrast between the energetic front of house and the relaxed rear environment gave the installation two distinct purposes while still feeling like one cohesive structure.
Custom Deck Extension
Space on site was extremely limited, which meant the standard configuration would not work. To solve this, our team designed and fabricated a custom extension to the roof deck.
This modification allowed the access stairs to be repositioned so they faced the front of the structure rather than the side, ensuring the build could fit comfortably within the allocated footprint while maintaining safe and practical access to the deck.
It was a small adjustment that made a big difference to how the structure functioned within the exhibition layout.
Finishing Touches
To complete the project, the containers received a full custom paint finish to match the brand identity. The bold finish helped ensure the structure was immediately recognisable on the show floor and reinforced the visual impact of the build.
A Flexible Exhibition Solution
Projects like this highlight the flexibility of modular container structures. By combining stage containers, roof decks, truss systems and stretch canopies, it is possible to create unique environments that work within even the most restricted spaces.
For CAT showcasing at Plantworx, the final result delivered a branded merchandise stand, coffee point, viewing cinema and elevated deck space, all within a compact footprint.
A great example of how creative design and practical engineering can come together to produce something genuinely memorable on the exhibition floor. A huge thank you to SomeBrightSpark for entrusting us with their hire needs!
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